India Test squad for New Zealand tour introduced, Mohammed Shami snubbed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match sequence against New Zealand. The sequence can be played in November as part of India’s multi-format tour of New Zealand.

The Test sequence will start in Wellington on November 19, with the second and closing match scheduled in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. The 2 groups will meet in the longest format after completing five T20Is and five ODIs during the tour.

BCCI broadcasts India Test squad for sequence against New Zealand

The batting group includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, while Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are the 2 wicketkeeping options. Pant’s choice is subject to health clearance.

Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar provide all-round options, while Kuldeep Yadav adds a specialist spin-bowling option. The pace attack options Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.

The squad combines skilled <a href="https://cricket.international/punam-raut-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket-after-17-year-journey/” title=”Punam Raut Pronounces Retirement from Worldwide Cricket After 17-Year Journey”>international players with youthful skills as India prepare for the overseas task.

Shubman Gill will lead the staff, with KL Rahul serving as his deputy. Pant and Jurel offer wicketkeeping depth, while Jadeja and Sundar strengthen the spin department and batting lineup. Notably, Manav Suthar has been dropped.

In the meantime, Bumrah and Siraj carry expertise to the pace attack, supported by Krishna, Deep and Kamboj.

India Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

India tour of New Zealand 2026 Test sequence schedule

The 2-match Test sequence will start with the primary Test on the Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19.

In the meantime, the second Test will then take place at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1. There can be a brief turnaround between the 2 Assessments, with the groups transferring from Wellington to Christchurch after the opening game.

The Test sequence will be the closing leg of India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand, following the five-match T20I sequence and five-match ODI sequence. The T20Is will start on October 22, while the ODIs will start on November 4.

What happened in the final India vs New Zealand Test sequence

India and New Zealand final faced each other in a Test sequence in October-November 2024, when the Kiwis produced a historic 3-0 clean sweep in India. It was India’s first residence Test sequence defeat since 2012 and New Zealand’s first Test sequence win in India.

New Zealand gained the opening Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets after India were bowled out for just 46 of their first innings. India fought back by a huge second-innings complete of 462, however New Zealand chased down 107 comfortably.

The visitors then sealed the sequence in Pune with a 113-run victory. Mitchell Santner was the important thing performer, taking 13 wickets as New Zealand defended 359. India then suffered one other defeat in Mumbai, dropping the third Test by 25 runs. Ajaz Patel took 11 wickets in the match as New Zealand accomplished the first-ever 3-0 Test sequence whitewash of India at residence.

Source: cricketaddictor.com